WizKids surprised us a bit with its early announcement of rotation (which doesn’t happen until July 1)
What’s going?
5-Figure Booster Sets
- DC HeroClix: Batman The Animated Series … is canceled
- Marvel HeroClix: Secret Wars: Battleworld … calls a cease-fire and cease EXISTENCE
- Marvel HeroClix: Earth X … gets X’ed out
Fast Forces Packs and Starter Sets
- Marvel HeroClix: Secret Wars: Battleworld Fast Forces: Bye-bye, Runaways
- DC HeroClix: Batman The Animated Series Starter Set
- Marvel HeroClix: Earth X Starter Set
It’s more the maps we’ll mourn from these latter two than anything.
Micro Sets
- Marvel HeroClix: Captain Marvel Movie: 2019 fave Captain Marvel 021 will be missed, even though she’s been power-leaped by the SR from Captain America and the Avengers.
2018 Convention Exclusives and Limited Edition Game Elements
- WK DP18-001 Starro (and his WKDP18-002 through 005 minions)
- WK DP18-006 Batman (a.k.a. Commissioner Gordon Batman)
- WK DP18-007 Power Woman
- WK DP18-008 Orion
- WK DP18-009 Joker
- WK DP18-010 Hawkgirl (one of the subjects of our Bombshells F.U.N. Focus)
- WK DP18-101 Captain Cold
- WK DP18-102 Heatwave
- WK DP18-103 Impulse
- WK MP18-002a Thanos-Copter
- WK MP18-002b Cube-Powered Thanos-Copter
- WK MP18-003 Thanos
- WK MP18-004 Gwenpool
- WK MP18-005 Lockjaw
- WK MP18-006 Shadowcat
- WK M18-007 Daredevil (a 2018 fave)
- WK M18-101 Bishop
- WK M18-102 Black King
- WK M18-103 Forge
- WK M18-104 Death’s Head
- WK M18-105 Mandarin
- WK M18-106 War Machine
- WK M18-G001 Tri-Sentinel
- WK S18-001 Captain Kirk & Uhura
There are also a few WKM17 holdovers that will certainly be added to this list: Lila Cheney, Longshot, Dazzler. A few others I can’t think of. But they’re not gone forever because WK also announced a whole new official format in addition to Golden and Modern:
SILVER AGE.
This format allows all new-style card sets (from Superior Foes of Spider-Man onward). It also wisely starts with both a ban list and watch list of problem figures:
Ban List
WK MP-18 001 Blackbird: We’re not sure why this immediately banned. Perhaps there’s a weird interaction with the Krakoan Revival trait we’re not seeing, or WizKids just doesn’t want resources in the game anymore. In any case: Plane is decommissioned and grounded.
FF JW 004 The Penguin: This fig’s ability to make itself target of friendly attacks has the potential to lead to infinite loops and easy wins with certain Mission Points win conditions, among other things. So yes, Penguin is jailed.
Watch List
JW 053b Jakeem Thunder: I would say he’s not going to be a problem after his errata adding Shape Change to the powers he can only choose one from. But the 2021 rules expand his versatility even further. So this young Black man is getting profiled for good reason.
TMNT3 Mini Shredder: Aside from the fact that free damage should never be a thing in this game, the elimination of speed penalty for Carry means this little guy could become problematic in a hurry. Keep him under the microscope!
WI 040 Goblin King: See Jakeem Thunder, but add Power Cosmic Willpower. Could get even uglier than he is.
TMT 058 Uni-Mind: 2021 rules make him even grosser and top of mind for this watch list.
JW 060 The Joker: With all the new power interactions and his resistance to KOs, this Joker is no laughing matter.
FF HQGG 006 Corrupt GPCD Cop: This addition is a curious one, but clearly WK is concerned about any and all of the “don’t die” figures and mechanics. Internal Affairs will be WATCHING you, girl.
SW:BW 061 Black Panther: See Goblin King, except he’s not ugly. Also death-resistant. This king could lose his immunity.
EAX 017b Vulture: He’s needed to be addressed forever anyway. He better fly low or get his wings clipped!
EAX 054 Daredevil: Another death-resistant figure. His license could get suspended.
XTAS 011b Magneto, XTAS 023b Sabretooth, XTAS 043b Mister Sinister: These three figs are here for the same reason: Don’t Die.
HOX 030 Moira X: Another Don’t Die figure, she’s also loaded with powers.
XTAS G014 Proteus: His Barrier-like ability could get out of hand.
XTAS G018 Wendigo: So many free attacks he can do, and the 2021 rules boost him even more.
XTAS G020 Dark Phoenix: Already a top meta figure, the 2021 rules boost her even more.
AI G001 Giant-Girl: Perhaps less of a problem now that she can’t be spammed to boost initiative, but still warrants a look.
AI G017 Giganto & Namor: New Swim ability eliminates most of the big guy’s weakness to long range. One to keep an eye on.
AI G025 Groot: Walking Woods were problematic before. Maybe worse now that they can get two tokens without dying.
FF AI G001 Giant-Girl: Free retaliation. ‘Nuff said!
TMT G001 Surtur: Good God, just ban him already.
TMT G004 Carnage: See Groot, but shave 10 points.
WK MP-18 G001 Tri-Sentinel: Any retaliation that can dole out free damage belongs here. And so he is.
All ID Cards: Just ban them already. No off-the-map stuff, please.
All this is a good move. Even a ban isn’t the end; Golden Age will continue to exist for local venues. The best and most hopeful thing is that maybe some rulings and questions about retired stuff can finally be answered, especially if this format will be a WizKids-supported deal for future WKOs and more.
Sounds like F.U.N.!